Some lawyers in the US are facing legal trouble for using artificial intelligence (AI) to create court documents with fake legal references. Judges are now closely watching how lawyers use AI, as mistakes can have serious consequences.
Recent Case in Wyoming
Two lawyers could be punished after a judge in Wyoming found that their lawsuit against Walmart contained fake legal cases. One of them admitted to using AI but said it was an accident.
After this incident, Morgan and Morgan, a well-known law firm, warned its lawyers not to use AI-generated legal documents without checking them. However, the firm did not publicly comment on the case. Walmart also did not respond.
AI Use in Law is Growing
According to Reuters, at least seven similar cases have happened in US courts in recent years. A 2023 survey found that 63% of lawyers have used AI in their work, with 12% using it regularly. AI helps lawyers with research and writing, but it sometimes makes up false information, known as “hallucinations.”
Judges Are Taking Action
Judges are now cracking down on lawyers who submit AI-generated mistakes. Some examples include:
- In 2023, a New York court fined two lawyers $5,000 for using fake citations in a lawsuit against an airline.
- In Texas, a lawyer was fined $2,000 and had to take an AI law course after using false AI-generated cases.
- A Minnesota judge ruled that an expert witness lost credibility after using AI-generated references in a legal case.
AI Mistakes and Legal Ethics
The American Bar Association has warned lawyers that even accidental AI mistakes can lead to punishment. Andrew Perlman, a law school dean, said lawyers must always verify their research. “Using AI without checking the facts is simply unprofessional,” he said.
Experts believe the problem is not AI itself but how lawyers use it. Law professor Harry Surden said that lawyers have always made errors, and AI just highlights the need for better verification.
As AI becomes more common in law, lawyers must be careful. If they fail to check AI-generated content, they risk damaging their careers.
Source: samaa
